37 Mount Kailash Pilgrims from Tamil Nadu Feared Trapped in Nepal Flash Floods

At least 37 of 57 Mount Kailash pilgrims from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, who departed on their journey from Chennai on August 23, are feared caught in catastrophic flash floods in the Bhote Koshi river along the Nepal-China border region.

The pilgrims were travelling on a tour organised by Kumbakonam-based Super Yathra Agency scheduled from August 23 to September 6. The group departed Chennai on Sunday night and arrived in Kathmandu on Monday before moving on to Syabrubesi on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, following passport verification at the Nepal-China border, the group was proceeding towards Gyirong in three separate buses. Tour guides Sayed Umar Sadiq, M Ragunathan, and K Venkatraman were accompanying the pilgrims across the three vehicles.

According to travel operator Syed Sadiq, father of Sayed Umar Sadiq, only one bus carrying 20 people managed to reach safety. Around 9 am on Wednesday, Ragunathan contacted the agency reporting a loud explosion-like sound and violent ground shaking, and stated that another bus was seen rolling down a gorge. Accompanying personnel prevented survivors from returning to check on the remaining vehicles.

The 57-member group consists of 36 women and 21 men, including 28 people aged above 60. The pilgrims include 16 from Thanjavur, 12 from Cuddalore, seven from Mayiladuthurai, five from Trichy, four from Chennai, four from Krishnagiri, three from Puducherry, two from Tiruvarur, two from Dharmapuri, and one each from Tiruvannamalai and Namakkal.

Kumbakonam tahsildar V Pongodi conducted an inquiry on behalf of the Thanjavur district administration. A control room with contact number 1056 has been set up to coordinate communication with the families of the pilgrims.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay announced emergency telephone numbers and directed senior officials at Tamil Nadu House in New Delhi to coordinate rescue and relief efforts through the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Nepal.

The state government released emergency contact lines including toll-free number 1800 309 3793 within India, missed call number +91 80 6900 9900 for those abroad, emergency line +91 80 6900 9901, and WhatsApp control room number 92895 16712.